Cart with removable table extensions

ABSTRACT

A cart, such as a kitchen cart, has a bottom shelf supported by leg members. The leg members further support a central shelf or basket at a user-desired position along the legs, and a top support. The top support can retain a top work surface thereto. On at least one side of the cart, arms can pivot outward, adjacent the top work surface, to support one or more work surface extension members. Typically, there may be one work surface extension member on each side of the cart, providing the user with additional workspace and providing the option of removal without interfering with the functionality of the cart.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to storage solutions. Moreparticularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a cart, such as akitchen cart, having a table top with one or more removable tableextensions.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Carts are often used for various storage purposes. Typical carts, ifthey include any top surface, are fixed in size and configuration. Thus,these carts cannot allow for a variable top surface size. If additionalspace is needed, the user must purchase another cart or arrive at acustom designed solution. Further, such carts are often fixed in heightof the shelves, where if relatively tall items are desired to be stored,a specific conventional cart would be needed to allow for the storage ofthese tall items.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a cart that can include avariably sized top surface, that can permit shelving adjustability andthat provide additional features, as described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a cart comprising aplurality of legs; a top member supported by the plurality of legs; atleast one set of pivot arms disposed on adjacent ones of the pluralityof legs; and a side member supportable, adjacent the top member, by theat least one set of pivot arms, wherein the at least one set of pivotarms is movable between a side member support position, extendingoutward from an outer periphery of the top member, and a storageposition, disposed within the outer periphery of the top member.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a cart comprising aplurality of legs; a top support supported at a top end of each of theplurality of legs; a top member supported on the top support; a pivotarm pivotably attached to each of the plurality of legs; a side membersupportable, adjacent the top member, by two of the pivot arms disposedon adjacent ones of the plurality of legs; a bottom storage elementattached adjacent a bottom end of each of the plurality of legs; and amiddle storage element attached along a length of each of the pluralityof legs, wherein each of the pivot arms is movable between a side membersupport position, extending outward from an outer periphery of the topmember, and a storage position, disposed within the outer periphery ofthe top member.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a cart comprising aplurality of legs; a top member supported on the top support; a pivotarm pivotably attached to each of the plurality of legs; and a sidemember supportable, adjacent the top member, by two of the pivot armsdisposed on adjacent ones of the plurality of legs, wherein each of thepivot arms is movable between a side member support position, extendingoutward from an outer periphery of the top member, and a storageposition, disposed within the outer periphery of the top member; theside member includes slots formed on a bottom side thereof, the slotsconfigured to receive a top portion of each of the two pivot armstherein to limit or prevent movement of the side member when positionedadjacent the top member and supported by the two pivot arms positionedin the side member support position; and the side member includes apivoting lock movable between a first position, covering a portion ofthe slot, and a second position that does not cover the slot thepivoting lock movable from the second position to the first positionafter the side member is positioned with the portion of the two pivotarms positioned in the slots, thereby preventing removal of the sidemember from the two pivot arms.

In some embodiments, the plurality of legs includes four legs positionedadjacent corners of the top member.

In some embodiments, the cart further includes a storage accessoryspanning between adjacent ones of the plurality of legs. In someembodiments of the invention, the storage accessory is a hook arm.

In some embodiments, the side member includes two side memberspositioned at opposite ends of the top member and the at least one setof pivot arms include two sets of two pivot arms.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an exampleand are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, inwhich like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a cart according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the cart of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the cart of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the cart of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed perspective view showing a pivoting arm onone side of the cart of FIG. 1 in a storage position and a pivoting armon the other side of the cart engaging a shelf;

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed bottom perspective view showing the shelfremoved from the cart of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed bottom perspective view of the cart ofFIG. 1, showing the shelf, arm and pivoting lock member in an explodedview; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded detailed view of the pivoting arm andbushing member of the cart of FIG. 1.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description wherein illustratedembodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that theillustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way oflimitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OFINVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many carefulconsiderations and compromises typically must be made when designing forthe optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system,and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. Acommercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings ofthe present invention may be configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a cart, such as akitchen cart, having a bottom shelf supported by leg members. The legmembers further support a central shelf or basket, positionable at auser-adjustable height along the legs, and a top support. The topsupport can retain a top work surface thereto. On at least one side ofthe cart, arms can pivot outward, adjacent the top work surface, tosupport one or more work surface extension members. Typically, there maybe one work surface extension member on each side of the cart, providingthe user with additional workspace and providing the option of removalwithout interfering with the functionality of the cart.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a cart 10, also referred to askitchen cart 10, can include a top member 12, also referred to top worksurface 12, and removable side members 14. A plurality of pivoting arms16 can be movable between a stored position and a shelf-supportingposition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example. In the shelf-supportingposition, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the side member 14 can besupported by the pivoting arms 16. While the Figures show the sidemembers 14 being disposed on both sides of the cart 10, it should beunderstood that only one side member 14, with its related pivoting arms16 may be incorporated into the cart 10. Further, while the Figures showthe side members 14 on longitudinal ends (hereinafter, referred to assides) of the top member 12, in some embodiments, the side members 14may be positionable on one or both of the front and back ends of the topmember 12.

FIG. 3 shows the left side pivoting arm 16 in both the side tablesupport position and in the storage position for illustration purposesonly. As described above, the pivoting arm is movable between these twopositions.

A plurality of legs 20, typically four legs 20, may be used to supportthe pivoting arms 16, as discussed in greater detail below. The legs 20may further support a top support rack 18 on which the top member 12 canrest. A middle shelf or basket 22 may also be supported by the legs 20.Finally, a bottom shelf or basket 24 may be supported by the legs 20.The legs 20 may be each formed integrally as single units or may beformed from multiple pieces joined together. While the Figures show themiddle basket 22 and the bottom shelf 24, these elements may vary amongbaskets, shelves, or other storage solutions. As discussed in greaterdetail below, the bottom shelf 24, while typically positioned at thebottom of the legs 20, and the middle basket 22 may each be heightadjustable along a length of the legs 20.

Wheels 26 may be positioned at the end of the legs 20 to permit easymovement of the cart 10. The wheels 26 may pivot for greatermaneuverability. In some embodiments, on one or more of the wheels 26can include a wheel lock 28 that can be user-engaged to prevent rotationof the wheel 26.

The cart 10 can include one or more accessory elements, such as a hookarm 30. The hook arm 30 may span between adjacent ones of the legs 20and attach thereto. The hook arm 30 can include a plurality of hooksextending therefrom. Other accessories may be positioned between theadjacent legs 20, such as spoon rests, gripper elements, napkin or towelholders, or the like. As discussed below, the accessory elements may beheight adjustable along the length of the legs 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 7, the side members 14 may include abottom slot 32 formed in the underside thereof. Typically, two linearslots 32 may be formed along the bottom of the side members 14. Theslots 32 can receive a top of the pivoting arm 16 therein when the sidemembers 14 are used adjacent the top member 12. A pivoting lock 34 maybe disposed on the bottom of the side member 14. The pivoting lock 34may pivot about a pivot pin 38 disposed in a hole 40 on the bottom ofthe side members 14. The pivoting lock 34 may pivot to a retentionposition where the top of the pivoting arm 16 is retained in the slot 32when in use. This prevents lifting of the side member 14 off of thepivoting arm 16. If the user desires to remove the side member 14, theycan pivot the pivoting lock 34 so that it does not cover the slot 32 andlift the side member 14 away. Then, the pivoting arm 16 may be folded toa storage position under the top member 12, adjacent the support rack18, as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the user can slightly liftthe top member 12 in order to position the pivoting arm 16 into thestorage position.

Referring to FIG. 8, the pivoting arms 16 may be retained on the legs 20with bushings 36. The bushings 36 may include an inside surface thatengages with the legs 20 and an outer surface that engages with thepivoting arms 16, permitting the pivoting arms to pivot, but not slidedown the legs 20. A similar type of bushing can be used to secure themiddle basket or shelf 22 and the bottom basket or shelf 24 to the legs20. Thus, the middle basket or shelf 22 may be height adjustable alongthe length of the legs 20. In some embodiments, the middle basket orshelf 22 may simply rest on a protrusion or stop formed in the legs 20,or at a joint between two leg members, or the like.

Similarly, the accessory, such as the hook arm 30, may attach to thelegs 20 in a similar manner, thus permitting the hook arm 30 to beplaced on either the left side or the right side of the cart 10, andfurther permitting the hook arm 30 to be placed at a desired heightalong the legs 20.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples andthat they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined bythe following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that theelements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, itmust be expressly understood that the invention includes othercombinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and itsvarious embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of theircommonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in thisspecification the generic structure, material or acts of which theyrepresent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to not only include thecombination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense itis therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or moreelements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below orthat a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in aclaim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expresslyunderstood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can insome cases be excised from the combination and that the claimedcombination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essentialidea of the invention.

1. A cart comprising: a plurality of legs; a top member supported by theplurality of legs; at least one set of pivot arms disposed on adjacentones of the plurality of legs; and a side member supportable, adjacentthe top member, by the at least one set of pivot arms, wherein the atleast one set of pivot arms is movable between a side member supportposition, extending outward from an outer periphery of the top member,and a storage position, disposed within the outer periphery of the topmember; and wherein the side member includes slots formed on a bottomside thereof, the slots configured to receive a top portion of each ofthe at least one set of pivot arms therein to limit or prevent movementof the side member when positioned adjacent the top member and supportedby the at least one set of pivot arms positioned in the side membersupport position.
 2. The cart of claim 1, wherein the plurality of legsincludes four legs positioned adjacent corners of the top member.
 3. Thecart of claim 1, further comprising a top support disposed at a top endof each of the plurality of legs, the top support supporting the topmember thereupon.
 4. The cart of claim 1, further comprising a bottomstorage element attached adjacent a bottom end of each of the pluralityof legs.
 5. The cart of claim 4, wherein the bottom storage element isone of a shelf and a basket.
 6. The cart of claim 1, further comprisinga middle storage element attached along a length of each of theplurality of legs.
 7. The cart of claim 6, wherein the middle storageelement is one of a shelf and a basket.
 8. The cart of claim 1, furthercomprising a storage accessory spanning between adjacent ones of theplurality of legs.
 9. The cart of claim 8, wherein the storage accessoryis a hook arm.
 10. The cart of claim 1, wherein the side member includestwo side members positioned at opposite ends of the top member and theat least one set of pivot arms include two sets of two pivot arms. 11.(canceled)
 12. The cart of claim 1, wherein the side member includes apivoting lock movable between a first position, covering a portion ofthe slot, and a second position that does not cover the slot thepivoting lock movable from the second position to the first positionafter the side member is positioned with the portion of the at least oneset of pivot arms positioned in the slots, thereby preventing removal ofthe side member from the at least one set of pivot arms.
 13. The cart ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one set of pivot arms are supported ontothe plurality of legs with bushings.
 14. A cart comprising: a pluralityof legs; a top support supported at a top end of each of the pluralityof legs; a top member supported on the top support; a pivot armpivotably attached to each of the plurality of legs; a side membersupportable, adjacent the top member, by two of the pivot arms disposedon adjacent ones of the plurality of legs; a bottom storage elementattached adjacent a bottom end of each of the plurality of legs; and amiddle storage element attached along a length of each of the pluralityof legs, wherein each of the pivot arms is movable between a side membersupport position, extending outward from an outer periphery of the topmember, and a storage position, disposed within the outer periphery ofthe top member; and wherein the side member includes slots formed on abottom side thereof, the slots configured to receive a top portion ofeach of the at least one set of pivot arms therein to limit or preventmovement of the side member when positioned adjacent the top member andsupported by the at least one set of pivot arms positioned in the sidemember support position.
 15. The cart of claim 14, wherein each of themiddle storage element and the bottom storage element are independentlyselected from one of a shelf and a basket.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The cartof claim 14, wherein the side member includes a pivoting lock movablebetween a first position, covering a portion of the slot, and a secondposition that does not cover the slot the pivoting lock movable from thesecond position to the first position after the side member ispositioned with the portion of the at least one set of pivot armspositioned in the slots, thereby preventing removal of the side memberfrom the at least one set of pivot arms.
 18. A cart comprising: aplurality of legs; a top member supported by the plurality of legs; apivot arm pivotably attached to each of the plurality of legs; and aside member supportable, adjacent the top member, by two of the pivotarms disposed on adjacent ones of the plurality of legs, wherein each ofthe pivot arms is movable between a side member support position,extending outward from an outer periphery of the top member, and astorage position, disposed within the outer periphery of the top member;the side member includes slots formed on a bottom side thereof, theslots configured to receive a top portion of each of the two pivot armstherein to limit or prevent movement of the side member when positionedadjacent the top member and supported by the two pivot arms positionedin the side member support position; and the side member includes apivoting lock movable between a first position, covering a portion ofthe slot, and a second position that does not cover the slot thepivoting lock movable from the second position to the first positionafter the side member is positioned with the portion of the two pivotarms positioned in the slots, thereby preventing removal of the sidemember from the two pivot arms.
 19. The cart of claim 18, furthercomprising: a bottom storage element attached adjacent a bottom end ofeach of the plurality of legs; and a middle storage element attachedalong a length of each of the plurality of legs.
 20. The cart of claim18, further comprising a storage accessory spanning between adjacentones of the plurality of legs.